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Proposed University for Yuma and What That Could Mean for Arizona Western College

This year the City of Yuma introduced the idea for a university for downtown Yuma.  The hope is to revitalize a large area of empty property in the City's Old Town Region.  KAWC's Kim Johnson has details on the possibility of a downtown university , and what that could mean for Arizona Western College...............

Mayor Doug Nicholls has taken the point on a downtown university for Yuma.  The Mayor says the idea is not really new... 

Nicholls.......this area ah south of giss parkway that is essentially blighted...:19

The Study area covers 52 acres in Old Town in North Yuma.  Part of the property was contaminated while used by the railroad, and the rest has been vacant or unused for decades.  The Brownfield Study will assess previous mitigation efforts, and outline the revitalization process for the entire area...

Nicholls.......that the community wouldn't want to have in downtown...:19

If the Brownfield Study says revitalization is possible, and the community supports a university, the project can move forward.  But what about it's impact on Arizona Western College, the center of higher education in southwestern Arizona since 1963?  AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr says done right-it could be good...

Corr......members earning baccalaureate degrees or masters degrees is a good thing...:14

Dr. Corr says AWC will have a major role in the process of a university coming to Yuma...

Corr......role for AWC in this community with a university in downtown yuma...:36

Dr. Corr explains...

Corr......dollars a credit hour that's not anything any university can deliver...:14

Mayor Nicholls says he has initial interest from Arizona's State Universities...

Nicholls......all said the same thing, they want to do what's best for Yuma...:14

Mayor Nicholls says this is not a short term project, it could take 15 to 20 years to go through the stages needed to complete the university.  If the brownfield study says it's okay to move ahead, then Nicholls says the City can take the next step.  For KAWC News, I'm Kim Johnson.